Sidewalk sale a concrete success

More stores, more shoppers: Annual Greenwich event helps build customer base as well as retail bottom line

Olivia Just

Published 8:57 pm, Friday, July 6, 2012

Shoppers browsing at last year's Greenwich Sidewalk Sale Days, sponsored by the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce. This year, over 85 Greenwich stores will be offering outdoor sales from July 12 through July 15, 2012.
Photo: Contributed Photo

For four days every year, Greenwich Avenue offers shoppers an opportunity to snag some of its high-end merchandise for a fraction of the usual cost.

The Greenwich Sidewalk Sale Days, presented by the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, will run from Thursday through July 15, when retailers on Greenwich Avenue and nearby streets will spread out their wares to tempt passersby. Scheduled for the weekend is music performed by singer/songwriter R.J. Bracchitta, dancing by staff members of Arthur Murray Grande Ballroom of Greenwich, and balloons, face-painting and other activities for children.

"It's a much-waited-for event for many store owners," said Marcia O'Kane, executive director of the chamber. "It's pretty much elbow-to-elbow as shoppers go down this very prestigious street and search for bargains."

Vendor participation had already surpassed last year's count of 85 retailers, O'Kane said, as many stores participate in hopes of attracting new business.

"Oftentimes, this entices people to walk in a store they may not have shopped in before," she said. "We want to encourage people to shop local, buy local and support the community."

At Splurge, on Lewis Street, owner Sonia Malloy will line the sidewalk in front of her store with discounted jewelry, accessories, home decor items and other merchandise. Across the street, Malloy's other branch, Splurge Kids, which opened last September, will participate in its first sidewalk sale.

The annual event is a sizeable boost, Malloy said, as well as a chance to sell merchandise that's out of season or doesn't quite fit with the incoming fall inventory. It also piques shoppers' curiosity.

"We do find that many people discover us from the sidewalk sale, particularly from out of town," Malloy said. "These four days could be equal to a very small month for us. It's pretty significant."

With Baccarat, which sells crystal jewelry, tableware and decorations, the event provides a rare opportunity for discounts, as the store doesn't offer sale prices on a regular basis.

"It gives people an opportunity to buy things of quality at a more affordable price," Lorraine Danchise at Baccarat said. "It just keeps getting better and better -- more people, more stores, more products. Especially in this economy, people look forward to this."

Greenwich Sidewalk Sale Days will run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through July 15. Contact the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce at 203-869-3500 or visit www.Greenwichchamber.com.